Very long time LLBean customer, but from the look of these pictures I may need to move on. To where is an open question. Women's fashions have gotten ridiculous in recent years with pants sitting at a place below the waist which is a wide part for most women, tops hugging those "muffin top" rolls and clinging to bust. Then, too, with retail stores closing, it seems the only system is order-try on-return, repeat - especially if one has a somewhat hard body to fit (most women do).
38
Since I found out that the owners of this company are big supporters and financial backers of Donald Trump, I no longer am interested in buying anything from them.
40
@slhomer
One family member, Linda Bean, is a stock holder by birth and sits on the ten member board, and yes, she donated to Trump 2016, and by many accounts is an awful human being who used her wealth to bully smaller Maine business, including in the lobster trade. However, there are over 50 family members who own stock in the company, which included the late Leon Gorman, former CEO, who donated substantially to Obama 2012.
So, boycott if you will, but before you do, consider that this situation is more nuanced than you presume, and do a bit more research before you decide that you want to tar this family and their company with such a broad brush.
94
Re poor quality, that's the result of overseas mass production where labor is cheap and the people are treated like slaves whether or not they are. (Many are.) They don't have the same pride in what they make as the US production in the past; chances are they're paid to produce more than it's humanly possible to accomplish. But bring the production back where there are Americans paid a living wage who are proud of their work, like the "good ole days"? The clothes will cost a fortune.
19
Since when has fashion become function and vice-versa? Since forever. It just takes time for the 'influencers' to be influenced by those they desperately seek to influence.
Alas, remember what Abercrombie & Fitch used to be? A cautionary tale.
10
This is a sad day for L.L.Bean and marks the demise of a wonderful company and a wonderful brand. I am sad to see this happen.
21
I've been wearing LL Bean jeans, jeans' skirts, tops, pajamas, sweaters, socks, and boots for many years. It never occurred to me to think of them as "gear" or "fashion." They're just clothes which I often bought because they came in petite sizes. Like other customers here, I've noticed the variability in quality in recent years (inconsistency among sizes; thinner materials; poor workmanship, etc.) The problems vary depending on which country the clothes were made in. The comments in the item reviews on the LL Bean website confirm customer dissatisfaction. Why branch out into what looks like some rather odd "designer" pieces if business is so good, according to the profits reported here? Why not grow the business by fixing what's wrong with current inventory? And why are people being laid off if business is booming?
51
JFK raced a Wianno Senior and an International Star (both sloops) and sailed Manitou while in the White House( a yawl). Teddy sailed Mya, indeed a schooner, in the annual Figawi race.
What boat was JFK in "racing his schooner across Nantucket Sound." ??
2
@A Boston
The question is, what were the Kennedy boys wearing when they raced? Fashion writers get to run with artistic license for the fun of the idea. You get to imagine a schooner racing across Nantucket Sound by a chap in a hideous plaid suit. Never meant to be literal, historical, documented journalism.
13
As an ageing Boomer....
I turned to such brands as L.L. Bean, Orvis, Royal Robbins etc.
not so much for the conservative preppy look, because in my youth and as a graduate of RISD with an Art School taste for the flamboyant I was fashionable, kept up with the trends and was obligated by my very nature to make a statement utilizing my dress as my billboard... when it comes to men's apparel.
I've moved to these "preppy" labels for the simple fact of their quality.... The calibre of the materials they are made with and the craftsmanship and attention to detail with which they are manufactured... The (formally) mall based retailers stopped making a high quality product before the turn of the century. And believe you me, back in the day I shelled out plenty at those establishments and was by and large happy with what I procured.
The prospect of L.L. Bean turning fashionista is enthralling.... L.L. Bean goes to "Pepperland"? I couldn't be more pleased. I look forward to the results.... Although my bank account does not.
PS - DON'T SKIMP ON THE QUALITY.
23
Here’s something I learned in 40 years in management (including 12 years at LLBean): while thinking about how to get NEW customers, first take care of your CURRENT customers.
LLBean’s new look reminds me of “New Coke.” You know, take a beloved classic and make it flatter and sweeter, like Pepsi.
41
Michael Bastian would be an excellent choice!
1
Lisa Birnbach is a national treasure.
10
Bean is my retailer of last resort, the only place still selling women's jeans without spandex. If they succumb to fashion, I'm doomed.
14
Love this. Your move, Filson.
6
It’s D Squared but for straight people. LOL
1
I just read the link from the Portland Maine newspaper about laying off employees but giving them severance packages and opportunities to apply for other positions within LL Bean. Can I make a suggestion? I expressed my views earlier this morning and it is one of the top replies. If LL Bean management is reading this, there are plenty of people like me who are unhappy with the quality of your merchandise which has startlingly deteriorated over the past couple of years. Perhaps reducing the number of merchandise pieces and upgrading the quality of the remaining pieces would increase your profitability. One area I think you can add - and it will definitely be a clear revenue stream - is creating women's pants and jeans across all platforms in a longer 34 and 36 inch length. I am tall and I can't wear any of your pants because they re too short. That would be an easy "fix" and sustainable - as you are missing out on an entire group of girls and women whose clothing needs you have not addressed. But I must add again - this is no time to introduce a "runway collection" that looks like "fast-fashion" - it is not who you are and it does not reflect your branding. I hope my thoughts are not considered brash - but please upgrade a scaled back selection of merchandise at a higher quality level, give tall women the pant length they will wear and (hopefully) your business will thrive. Do not go near trendy "gimmicks" - it is not LL Bean.
45
@kkm
And, along the same lines, make pants pockets big enough to put your hands into! I'm not saying I want to walk around with my hands in my jeans pockets, but I'd like the pockets to safely store my keys, and then for my hands to reach into the pockets for my keys.
36
I have been an L.L. Bean customer for decades and the quality of the garments have been steadily declining. Thirty year old shirts wear better than new shirts. Pants no longer have coin pockets; pants that use to have two zipper pockets now have one; fabric is not as heavy. Made in Asia or Central America. And they discontinued Corduroy Cargo Pants ..... the shame of it.
65
I have a pair of Black Patent Sperrys that I would wear to sea.
Many gay men did learn to sail. I have had many pairs Topsiders over the last half a century at this point. I take for one take offense at your over generalization.
5
In the news today: https://www.pressherald.com/2020/02/04/l-l-bean-cuts-200-jobs-plans-to-close-lewiston-call-center-in-2021/
5
Proof positive (as if we needed any) that "fashion" is just plain stupid.
13
“What price fashion?”
This picture is the dumbest looking use of LL Bean clothing since trump JR’s stupid picture in Esquire.
Surprised they didn’t pose this very unhappy looking model on a tree stump.
24
I prefer Pendleton but to each their own.
4
The Boston Globe reports today that LL Bean is cutting 200 jobs.
That's either the reason for this collaboration or a reason for a diversionary story...
13
the real story here is that todd snyder's a trump supporter. by collab-ing with llbean, a noted supporter of the president, snyder's brand has been forever tarnished. no thank you, todd... i will not be buying any of your merchandise.
22
One member, of the family who owns LL Bean, is a Trump supporter. That doesn’t make LL Bean a Trump supporting company, it just means that like many of us, they have some less than awesome relatives.
14
@Gus, you are incorrect re L.L. Bean being a Trump supporter. L.L. Bean does not support any political candidate or office holder. I think you are confusing facts. A relative of the Bean family is a Trump supporter.
10
I wouldn't enjoy wearing anything from L.L. Bean knowing my dollars would eventually flow to trump. Makes me wonder about Mr. Snyder, too...does he not know or does he not care? Or does he share Ms. Bean's politics? Way too many questions for a flannel shirt. I'll pass.
19
@MountainView Linda Bean is only one of the many Bean family members who own the company. It is unlikely that they all share her particular political views.
8
@MountainView, Linda Bean is indeed a Bean relative. People seem to conflate information regarding her and the company. The company does not involve itself in politics. Never has, never will.
8
A preppy revival?
Considering that the initial glorification was part of the Reagan greed-is-good era, an emphatic NO, THANKS.
Perhaps we could restore the middle class, and shore up democracy, before we start slobbering at the altar of wealth hoarded across generations and wealth hoarded by the banking classes.
8
And here I thought that their knee high shearling lined duck boots for women was as fashion forward as L.L.Bean would ever venture.
5
Maybe this trend will help Bean's bottom line. They just laid off 200 employees and probably will not give a yearly bonus, if past history is any indication when layoffs have happened (2017). The good news is that they gave every employee a pom hat with LL Bean emblazoned on it as a holiday gift!!! I guess that may be it for a while, given the layoffs.
6
I must say . . . I've never loved fashion, but that photo is the dumbest looking human I've seen all week. And I've been watching Republican Senators, so that's really something.
69
LL Bean’s owner is a rabid Trump supporter. I boycott LL Bean.
23
@L. Szu Are you referring to Linda Bean, the family member who was eased off the board of directors a couple of years ago? She was a bit of fruit-loop, but the president who took over in 2016 has pushed back against Trump's diatribes about the company and has an excellent track record of improving some major corporations all over the world. Meanwhile, Linda's Trump allegiance has hurt the company that does oit agree with her.
23
Let's see how unattractive we can make a person look.
23
No LL Bean till Collins is gone.
16
@Lawrence, why? Susan Collins has nothing to do with L.L. Bean. Why would you want Bean employees to pay the price for a senior you don't like? I'm not a Collins fan but I would not stop shopping at L.L. Bean just because I don't like her.
9
I unironically need that Duck Print sweater (sweatshirt?) in my wardrobe stat.
5
I thought a couple of the items looked appealing but after reading about Linda Bean's politics and position on the board, I'll pass. Too bad.
22
@lzolatrov
I think she's off the board now and the company is working hard to distance itself from her.
8
If someone showed up in a classroom wearing the outfit in picture no. 1 (fur hat with ear flaps, sweater half tucked in over the fly) the other kids would burst out laughing. The "model" might even be sent to the principal's office. What in the world is L.L. Bean thinking?
21
This article reminded me of the decline of Eddie Bauer, in quality and original purpose.
Sad
35
A staple of my wardrobe for 50 years until Linda Bean came out in favor of trump. Wouldn't be caught in LLBean on a bet ever again.
26
L.L. Bean Boots—The most uncomfortable and impractical boot ever made. Will freeze your toes off in no time! Have at em' hipsters!
18
It is a sad story when fashion that nobody wants fights its way into even LL Bean. The whole idea of important fashion is an oxymoron. Take your naval-gazing back to the dark canyons of New York City. You're much better of thinking you're important there.
6
@Edwin Cohen : Actually, I am a NYC native and please don't move that "important fashion" here - I don't think anyone would wear it. We are fast-paced, wide-eyed and aware of everything around us which makes NYC the greatest city in the world - with no time - in a NYC minute - to live in the "dark canyons of naval gazing." Maybe you have more time on your hands out in Oregon for that!
9
No graphic tees of ice-fishing in the dead winter Down East? Come on!
5
About time. In a world of declining fashion, jeans with holes on the knees, sneakers, and baseball caps worn backwards L. L. Bean desrves a place of honor.
12
Isn't it odd to have an article in NYTimes celebrating the "beginning of a real preppy revival" after three years of analyzing the constituents who put Trump into office, the so called "left behind" described in "Hillbilly Elegy". Democrats are out to prove they can relate to and improve the lives of the working class.
1
Not putting a single penny in Linda Bean's pocket. Not penny one!
14
@Awareandawake, why should the employees pay the price for Linda Bean's politics? She is a relative but has no involvement with the company.
8
Dude own the same sweater by Ralph Lauren from 1996
11
I used to love their clothing. Then the quality declined, as many point out here. Checking the labels, I was saddened to learn that they were being made overseas.
Now, all I buy from them are the boots that they still make here in the US.
If all that this guy does is have the models messily tuck in the sweater, or roll up the pants above the top of the boot, fine.
But introducing even more throwaway "fashion" is idiotic.
There's plenty of places we can go to buy that trendy tripe.
47
My sister gives me a LL Bean sweater for christmas every year. Over the last decade, the quality and durability of those sweaters has gotten poorer and poorer. They now last me, at best, only until the next Christmas instead of for years. Of course the cost is just the opposite of the lowering quality standard.
23
@Jeff just about everything is imported now.
5
Reminds me of the late Henry Morgan's jibe: "I wouldn't wear those shoes to a dogfight. [pause...] On the other hand, I *would* wear them to a dogfight."
This vaguely reminds me of the debacle that ensued after Sears bought Lands End. The brand went downhill and never really recovered.
20
@Blackstone in what way does this remind you of that?
5
I have also bought many items in the past from LL Bean. Over the past several years most of they items shipped to me have been returned quickly. Part of the problem is the new sizing they use and the quality of the items. I have not figured out why their polo shirts, which I have purchased for 30 years, have become so large I could wear them as a mini-dress.
18
@Jim The last 5 or so items I've purchased from LL Bean were all junk.
Poor fit, poor material, poor stitching, poor elastic, poor waterproofing. All junk, that's what they've been selling for quite a few years.
I think most customers must be blinded by the name.
I'm done with yet another junk peddler.
21
I was the creative director at ad agency Mullen when we had the business in the 1990's. We did some great, award winning work. And, having helped turn Timberland into the brand it became only a few years earlier, we strongly suggested LL Bean change its stodgy image, including the design and profile of its casual clothes. Within a year of that recommendation we were fired. Times change. Just takes more time than it should.
4
@Edward Boches or, alternatively, they made exactly the right decision, and avoided becoming a plaid version of Benetton - and that company's fate.
11
@Edward Boches, it is not unusual for companies to turn over ad agencies and I am quite certain the loss of your agency's contract had nothing to do with the feedback given. How do I know that you ask? I worked at Bean from the mid 80s to 2000, some of that time in Creative.
3
Laura Bean, daughter of the founder and current board member, is a frequent Fox News guest who loudly trumpets her support of Trump. She created "Make Maine Great Again."
For that reason, I, and many others, stopped buying LL Bean products in 2016. I encourage others with a conscience to do the same.
83
@SR Thank you for mentioning that.
12
@SR
In 2016 I also was disturbed by the news that that Laura Bean was a big Trump supporter and that LL Bean money went to Trump for his election. I stopped buying LL Bean products and have urged friends to boycott this opportunistic company.
16
@SR If their business fails, a lot of Maine people lose jobs. It is a thin economy. And Linda Bean used her own money, not the company's for her donation to Trump. The rest of the company cannot do much about a relative who is heiress to the corporation except ignore her. They have brough in new board mekbers to lessen her influence, and she is busy with hewr own event venue and lobsters.
15
No. Period.
L.L. Bean is what it is and shouldn't be turned into what it has never been.
18
@B. D. Colen But what it is is not what it was. Hasn’t been for a while now.
11
Hanging out as I write in my LLBean flannel pjs and sheepskin-lined slippers. Stuff I’ve been wearing for decades of winters along with my LLBean duck boots, flannel shirts and turtlenecks.
But, hey, did puffer vests really go out of style enough that they have to be brought back? I have them in ten or more colors from LLBean, Patagonia, NorthFace and Vineyard Vines. They are perfect for layering, travel, and running errands. Last year I wore one over an evening gown under my flimsy coat to a black tie function in the middle of winter. And they make perfect pillows on planes. Multipurpose? Of course.
I guess there must be a “preppy “ gene that dominates in some people especially here in New England. Glad the designers are finally catching on....
10
Since LLBean family members support Trump and since he tweeted that we need to support them, LLBean is dead to me. In fact, the model looks barefoot to me.
49
@Richard McMullen
please educate yourself. there is ONE trump supporter in the family who happens to also be outspoken.
14
I stopped buying Bean when I realized how much the company/family supported Trump.
46
@Nick, you are spreading misinformation. The company has NEVER supported any political candidate or party. A relative has and does support Trump and is very vocal about that support. She does not represent Bean.
13
I've been wearing Bean's togs since I was a young boy. Good luck to them... Always liked the customer service too-- and warranty on the few items that failed. But lately the quality of a lot of their products has dropped. It would be preferable for them to fix that rather than mashup a lot of stuff most of their loyal customers will never wear. I mean really: camo is for hunting not for strutting your stuff down the catwalk for people who will never wear it beyond their favourite vegan café. Not a knock on vegans, or hunting either btw. It just seems like a faulty category error akin to mispaced concreteness.
31
@PeterS
Hey, it's the trumpist flavor--get the money any way you can.
9
@dressmaker Yeah, its that too.
4
Maybe the models could have MAGA buttons pinned to their plaid coats
36
Lose the nostalgia. The boots are made in China.
27
No, they are made in Maine.
13
@Nibs, @Bob
And all components are sourced from US suppliers. (I was a boot maker). Check your facts!!
15
Mainer here.
Not to worry: the Bean boots are made in Maine and each cobbler is intensely trained for three months before being allowed to stitch.
I agree a lot of their clothing has dipped in quality - but not the hallowed Bean boots! Or the canvas tote.
25
Ummm ... I just came here for the fleece-lined moccasins.
7
These models look all wrong with the clothes. They should have picked people who actually look comfortable in comfortable clothes.
23
That lead photo is offensive in almost every way, from the hat to the shoelaces. The look in the model's eye is a tell, like he can't believe this is happening.
15
Thank you Mr. Trebay - I needed a good laugh today! I'm a Carhartt man me'self.
17
Well at least they are putting something useful and reasonably affordable on the catwalk. Everything else is useless.
3
Birkenstock has gone high fashion so now Bean is trying it out. Just another way to draw in a larger audience and charge higher prices. With some imagination you don’t need a designer to upgrade the line. You just need to mix and match and try to be inventive about your look.
6
Fashion is weird. Vanity is unfortunate. Envy is regrettable. Overconsumption is thoughtless. Like many of my fellow commenters, I have four times as much clothing as I need.
17
LL Bean used to be great stuff, including fun sweaters, crazy good kids' backpacks, wonderful pants, all incredibly durable. But like some other long time brands, quality is down, and design has stagnated. Can't beat the older items, yawn to the new. Maybe this new collaboration will help..maybe not. Not holding my breath..
14
Sperry Top-Siders a primarily GAY fashion trend ??? Insulting to us gays across the country! Having lived both in New England and in the Midwest, Sperry Top-Siders were almost universally regarded as a class symbol of rich, preppy straight men (think Vineyard Vines and masculine bros who rowed crew). I'm doubtless there are plenty of preppy gay men who wore them as well, but a strange association to make in this article!
14
@Matt
It did say “subset”.
5
This is a real thing?
3
Bean's crossed over from function to style and burned the bridge on the way over. Bean will be start their death march and Mr. Snyder will be on the prowl for his next victim.
14
I have a pair of ankle height Duck Boots I bought 45 years ago and use constantly. How’s that for quality?
7
@Karen Reed Entirely a thing of the past. You wont get that from any Chinese made Bean boots nowadays.
2
@dodolurker but the Bean Boots are not made in China. They are made in Maine.
7
@dodolurker, the boots are made in Brunswick, Maine at L.L. Bean Manufacturing. Many products are made there.
7
Well, that’s the final nail in LL Bean’s coffin then. Instead of introducing glitzy nonsense, how about restoring your once superb quality ??
36
Fashion world LL Bean = Not a good fit
13
This is just plain silly. How can this particular report be listed in the Most Popular, and how can any mature individual possibly regard this as important? It's only outdoor clothing for God' sake, not real news.
4
@Tom Clemmons
Because you clicked on it, as did I and many osthers. I found it a great antidote to the headlines until I found out the Bean’s are Trumpists--ugh! I’m staying with REI.
6
@SheWhoWatches, one Bean relative is a Trump supporter and she has been very vocal about her support. Please don't lump her in with the company.
1
Oops...I just donated all my LL Bean clothing to the Salvation Army. Enjoy!
8
Why can't people see that LLB's clothes are really clunky and, well, ugly? Their stuff is dowdy and dull, men's or women's. The few things I have were not well made and faded quickly.
The clothing may be comfortable, but so are better looking brands.
But then there is no accounting for taste.
8
George Dietz And George, you are why I live in Maine and am proud to call myself a Mainer.
6
Please leave LL Bean out of the limelight. I wear the stuff because it is the antithesis of fashion. Please do not ruin one of the few things left that are untouched by the American marketing machine.
45
@Chris from PA
You have got to be kidding. "...one of the few things left untouched...."
6
R.I.P., L.L.; sorry we weren't able to prevent this. Thanks for the memories (and the boots).
12
LL Bean has been taking cost out of their products - along with quality and features - for 15 years. Slowly an interior pocket has disappeared or fabrics have been downgraded. Bean used to use Polartec fleece. For years now they've replaced Polartec with a scratchy imitation. Shoes once made from good, supple leather are now made from rock-hard, stiff leather. Zippers are now cheap plastic that jam or fail. Shorts and chinos , once good 100% cotton are now chemically over-treated and just plain cheap. Only the label and memories are left. Pity.
67
@AS
If true, its very sad. The moment you stop making be best product you can, is the moment the decline begins. Short term profit; long term loss
22
@AS Spot on.
8
Blech. Another dependable source of sturdy outdoor clothing bites the dust. Abercrombie & Fitch went in the 1960's, then a parade of others until this. Quite sad, really. And, by the way, Linda Bean does indeed sour more than a few of us on the brand.
35
@Neal, Linda Bean is a relative, yes, but please don't blame the company for that. She is one of many relatives, the granddaughter of L.L. Bean. There is a false narrative that L.L. Bean supports Trump. That is not the case.
3
All Hail the Wale! High fashion has finally seen three light—a return of jumbo/wide wale corduroy in brilliant jewel tones. There's nothing more comfortable to invite the touch and warm a chill. Hopefully they will be available in tall in the next LL Bean catalog.
7
Lisa Birnbach interviewed me for her second preppie book when I was a college sophomore. While that was nearly 40 years ago, we both remain authorities on the species. Right now I’m skiing in Europe, as one does, and under my fancy high-tech gear is a Bean turtleneck. Bean boots are tucked in the closet. My carry on bag is a boat and tote (monogramed, natch). Biff and I are excited to read if we hold out a bit longer we’ll be fashionable!
28
What was great about Bean and the preppy style in general was that their clothes were timeless, both in terms of style and quality. I still buy stuff at a discount from their outlet in Ellsworth, but sometimes I find better stuff at a lower price at Reny's across the street.
Did Bean lay off their employees in Lewiston in order to comeup with this guy's fee? Just asking.
29
L.L. Bean has been part of my life for 70 years. My Dad was a hunter/fisherman and we often went to Bean's for gear in the 1950's, long before "fashion" was a factor. Much of my clothing is from LLBean and I am dismayed by this article. Bean has changed in the past decade ~ quality is down, selection of classics is limited (oh, for a Fair Isle sweater that looks like the old classic ones!!). I find it discouraging to see this happen to a long time Maine favorite.
86
Todd Snyder is ingenious in revitalizing classic brands. He took Champion and punched it up with new colors and mixed the sweatshirts with dress pants and even dress shoes and somehow made it all look new and wearable.
LL Bean, like J Press and Brooks Brothers, needs not only to up their quality and go back to their original missions, but infuse their lines with 2020 ideas that don't just retread what preppies wore in 1980. To walk into a Brooks Brothers these days is downright depressing, and I only wish they would avail themselves of Mr. Snyder's youthful energy and commitment to high quality.
Retail is dying. Old brands are struggling. And the only solution is creative minds like Todd Snyder who love the old traditional clothes but have the imagination and determination to reintroduce them in hip-hop, international, multi-cultural ways so that they can be worn everywhere from Tokyo to Seoul to Camden, ME.
30
@Harding Dawson That is A solution, but not the only one. Doesn't matter what stores do; population is declining, money is tighter, people are spending less, climate change and emissions from too much Fast Fashion are real; the era of wasteful spending will end. They all have to retrench. One way to do it is stay classic. I never went to Brooks Brothers, Bean, or Talbot's before but do now because of the traditional style and quality. The main thing they need to do is keep the prices down and the quality of cloth and sewing up--the decline in these, as the comments indicate, is what is driving people away.
6
As a lifelong L.L. Bean fan AND Dedicated Follower of Fashion, I'm really not enthusiastic about merging the two streams. While I'm sure Mr. Snyder has some fun ideas and testing a very small capsule collection (e.g., experimental) sounds fine, he'll not get a ton of core customers on board with this. There's a reason L.L. Bean is still very successful, and it ain't collabs. It's also sending the message that they're not interested in classic style and only want to do fast-fashion, which is not sustainable. You want sustainable? Buy gently used Bean on eBay! It's quality stuff that isn't made any more.
56
As another long time LLBean customer, I too, have been disappointed in their current offerings. Aside from their classic boots it’s been more fashion than function. I used to count on them for sturdy country clothes in petite sizes, just as durable as their men’s wear. Made in the US, too.
Fine with me if they want to branch out, but they shouldn’t ignore their long time market. After all, the fashion world will move on, but us hardy New Englanders will still be here!
79
@newfie3 I agree wholeheartedly. They should keep in mind the lesson of JCrew fall.
18
I have been an LLBean customer for decades! During the past year, I have noticed the pricing has significantly increased and the quality has decreased. I've been getting a vibe that greed has replaced reliable, quality merchandise with reasonable pricing and not a lot of gimmicks. And then add to the fact that sale prices are not as deeply discounted and I will be buying much less over time. Finally,-and not written in a mean-spirited way - but this runway collection is hideous. Please stick with what you know and perhaps boost the quality of your goods - the way you used to make them! Believe it or not, the former quality of everything you made was reliable, dependable and a comfort against "fast fashion" - which, in my opinion, looks like the direction you are trying to move into now. It will backfire.
126
@kkm
"pricing has significantly increased"
you can thank trump for that. bean needs to pass on a portion of the tariffs to its customers while also eating some of the increased cost itself.
37
@mark : Yet another reason to ensure he is not re-elected in November!
13
@kkm —
Were LL Bean clothes made in the USA when the quality was higher?
4
Love the big bright green cords & plaid coat. I will take a look at the catalog. Fashionable people who like the outdoors and at times work in cold climes have always mixed practical and well made LL Bean gear with good looks.
9
@P Wilkinson : Hardly the look that lobstermen, loggers and hunters will adopt! Give me a break! Love that tucked in sweater look with quilted pajamas........
It would be interesting to know what size the runway models are wearing, and whether those sizes will be sold. Even in the supposedly non-fusty Signature line, the smallest waist in men's pants is 30. There are some of us non-teens out there who need smaller.
7
Back in 1967, most women's pants were pocket-free. As a budding 17-year-old photographer, I wanted pants with pockets that could hold my light meter. Enter L.L. Bean with its simple catalog and with its pants-with-pockets for women. (If I remember correctly, the catalog had a color cover but black-and-white inside pages.) That's also around the time that I got my first L.L. Bean canvas boat-and-tote bag.
Fifty-plus years later, I'm still wearing L.L. Bean pants and I'm still carrying boat-and-tote bags. (My first pair of L.L. Bean pants are long gone, but I still have that original tote bag.)
35
@kris
Yes! Why no pockets for women?? I have some 5 pocket exercise pants from Bean that are indestructible, I love them. Who carries a purse to exercise?
5
@kris, those wonderful boat and tote bangs are made in Brunswick, Maine at L.L. Bean's manufacturing facility. I have several that have been in use for close to fifty years.
5
Bravo! I still have my duck boots that I loved to wear regardless of the weather. It would be nice to see Prep return. Modern designers seem to be inspired by thrift shop dumpsters and homeless people layered fashion look. No wonder retail is going out of business.
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All good luck to L.L. Bean with this endeavor. But I'd be happier, as a longtime buyer, if they upped the quality. My 10-year-old Bean items are in better shape than those I bought last year. Also, they need to keep more of the average sizes in inventory.
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Agreed. I’ve got older cashmere sweaters (some 15 and 10 years old) that are in better shape than the two I bought two years. They got pills the first season of wearing. In fact, if I showed you two black turtlenecks, you would think the old one was the more recent buy.
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Modern business is there to make money. The way they do that can lead to negative results for their customers, but the effect of that is also part of their calculation. I wonder when AI will start working on business models. Then we might even see that there is no necessary connection between profit and customer satisfaction.
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@jerseyjazz And this reduction in quality seems to have coincided with the elimination of the lifetime warranty. Now the warranty is one year, and, predictably, the stuff doesn't last much longer than that.
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It's Minnesota Nice for your information.
Just as this designer depending upon previous designs, he also seems to like to grab stuff and use it to his own end, rather than stay true to sources.
I have some LLBean stuff, as do family members, but I have no reason to check their latest offerings due to this fellow's attempt to earn a buck. I'm un-impressed. Their payment of his fees means anything I buy is higher priced than it needs to be.
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I'm definitely looking into L.L. Bean again, as these fashions were popular when I was in college, and the items were long-lasting and sturdy. I hope to see the company focus on fewer items so that quality can stay high or return to where it was about 20 years ago.
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@Sushirrito LLBean products are no longer long lasting or sturdy. The quality hasn't been high for decades.
9
Instead of seeing Todd Snyder's designs, I would rather listen to Todd Snider's songs and stories. There is plenty of video online.
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@Frank I looked at the opening shot again, and in the past Bean was a brand showing wearable clothing that, while high end on campuses back in the day, were something almost everyone could be comfortable wearing. The guy in the fur cap and sloppily dressed brings to mind Forest Gump or Green Acres, which is so deviant from the core value of Bean that I'm surprised the association with the haute designer wasn't terminated early in the process.
Believe me, NO ONE in the real world wears clothing or looks like the model in the opening shot.
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@Frank
I’m with you, Frank. P.S. I’m a parent of a Fairhope Girl.
2
It used to be that 1/2 of my clothes were from LL Bean and the other half i did not wear. But i have not bought anything from LL Bean in 3 years. A LL Bean board and family member is a trump fund raiser and supporter and they have not disavowed her actions, so i no longer can support them.
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@Jeff You are half right. I live in Maine, and know some of the people on the board and retired executives. Linda Bean is a far right, Tea party supporter with terrible politics. They cannot get her off of the board and always comment that she does not speak for the company.
L.L. Bean's does great work in the community and does not support any of the causes that Linda Bean does. I don't see that there is much they can do. As a family member she has a right to a seat on the board.
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@adamdlee Thanks for the correction adamdlee. As a 10 yr Maine resident I value LLBean but would not buy from any trump supporter. Many of us are very serious about this so businesses with this connection need to be quite aware of the consumers they risk losing. Maybe they will be able to isolate Linda Bean and minimise her position through legal means with enough losses.
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L.L Bean needs to learn from Eddie Bauer..Quality first, don’t fallow fashion as its fickle.. EB went nationwide and lost core customers and now empty stores..,
I suspect they will go belly up soon..
15